Effect of nutritional support in children with spastic quadriplegia.
Malnutrition is a common problem in patients with cerebral palsy. We evaluated the effect of nutritional support on clinical findings in children with spastic quadriplegia. Feeding history, numbers of lower respiratory tract infections, and gastrointestinal and neurologic findings were evaluated via questionnaire. Weight, height, head circumference, midarm circumference, and triceps skinfold thickness were measured. Height for age, weight for age, weight for height, body mass index, and weight and height z-scores were calculated. Clinical findings and anthropometric parameters were re-evaluated after nutritional support for 6 months. Forty-five patients were enrolled. No difference was evident between the first and the last height z-scores of 31 patients who completed the follow-up. Weight, height, weight z-scores, weight for age, weight for height, body mass index, midarm circumference, and triceps skinfold thickness exhibited improvement. Moreover, a significant decrease in number of infections was evident. Frequency of seizures and Gross Motor Function Classification System status did not change. Constipation decreased significantly. Nutritional therapy revealed improvements in some anthropometric findings and a decrease in number of infections. Although there was no difference regarding motor development or seizure frequency, further studies with a longer follow-up are required.
Soylu
Ozlem Bekem
OB
Department of Pediatrics, Dr. Behcet Uz Children's Disease and Pediatric Surgery Training and Research Hospital, Alsancak, Izmir, Turkey. obekem@yahoo.com
Unalp
Aycan
A
Uran
Nedret
N
Dizdarer
Gülsen
G
Ozgonul
Figen Oksel
FO
Conku
Aliye
A
Ataman
Hamide
H
Ozturk
Aysel Aydogan
AA
D001827:Body Height; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000150:complications / Q000178:diet therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D018529:Nutritional Support; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000150:complications / Q000178:diet therapy*